CM Pema Khandu Promises Strong Action On Indigenous Rights And Demographic Issues
State plans roadmap on ILP and tribal protections.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that the state government will work with all stakeholders to develop long-term and concrete solutions on issues related to indigenous tribal rights, demographic concerns, and regulation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. His remarks came during a high-level consultative meeting held in Itanagar, where representatives from civil society groups, student organisations, legal experts, political parties, and senior government officials participated in nearly seven-and-a-half hours of discussions.
The Chief Minister described the meeting as “historic,” noting that it brought together key stakeholders including the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), ST Bachao Andolan Committee (STBAC), and officials from multiple state departments. He said the discussions focused on long-standing concerns that have remained unresolved for years, particularly those linked to tribal identity, demographic changes, and administrative regulation of the ILP system under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation.
Khandu stated that issues raised during the meeting reflect a broader national concern related to illegal immigration and demographic shifts, which he said impact indigenous cultures, governance structures, and social balance. He referred to earlier national-level discussions, including references to concerns highlighted by the central government regarding demographic imbalance and its potential impact on internal security and cultural preservation.
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The Chief Minister also informed participants that the Union Home Ministry has constituted a high-level national committee on demographic change, which will examine factors such as migration patterns and population shifts. He added that the state government has, in principle, accepted key demands raised during the consultation, including the creation of a dedicated department to manage and regulate the Inner Line Permit system more effectively, a long-standing demand from various tribal organisations.
Emphasising sustainable development alongside identity protection, Khandu stressed the importance of skill development and capacity building among local youth to reduce dependence on outside labour. He cited examples of trained tribal youth successfully completing infrastructure projects at lower costs compared to external contractors, highlighting both economic efficiency and local employment generation as key benefits of such initiatives.
The Chief Minister announced the formation of a high-level committee to further examine the issues discussed and prepare a roadmap for future action. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 29 to formalise the committee’s structure, which will include representatives from major tribal organisations and the legal fraternity. He assured that all recommendations would be considered transparently before any final policy decisions are taken, reiterating his call for collective effort to safeguard indigenous rights and ensure long-term stability and development in the state.
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